A vocalist blessed with good looks and a vibrant personality, George Strait has dominated the country music scene since the early 1980s. Strait was on the verge of quitting the entertainment business in favor of a job in agriculture when he managed to wrangle a contract with MCA Records. Since then he has arguably been MCA's biggest pure country performer with more than 57 million albums sold. Of his more than 30 albums, 26 have been platinum-certified, meaning they sold more than 1 million copies each.

Strait's work is classic country and honky tonk--the kind of fiddle and pedal steel guitar-laced music that has been called "country" since the days of Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb. To quote Montgomery Brower in People magazine, Strait's "throwback blend of lilting guitar licks, keening fiddles, plaintive pedaled steel and taut, lonesome cowboy vocals has put him in the vanguard of country music's counterrevolutionaries, those performers who have refused to abandon old-time simplicity for Nashville slick." Strait has never--and probably will never--set his sights on a crossover hit. According to Andrew Vaughan in Who's Who in New Country Music, the clean-cut Strait has proved "that country roots [are] still preferable, even in the age of compact disc."

Strait was born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas, but grew up in Pearsall. He was the second of three children of a high school math teacher. His childhood on a small Texas ranch was rather conventional, and like most teenagers in the 1960s, he gravitated to rock music and thought little of country. After high school Strait tried college, but he dropped out, married his high school sweetheart, and joined the U.S. Army. Only then did he begin to respond to the music of the artists who have become his idols--George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams.

Strait was stationed at the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii in 1973 as part of his military service. While there he auditioned for an Army-sponsored country-and-western band and was made lead singer. The band entertained at Army functions, presenting hours of Jones and Haggard songs, and gradually Strait's style began to echo that of his favorite country stars. When he was discharged from the Army, Strait formed his own band in Texas and continued to perform. The singer told Vaughan that he never really tried to be original when he did club work. "When you're a local act, and you're doing Merle Haggard and George Jones songs, people want you to sound like the records. So that's what you do; you sing like Merle or George and pretty soon that's just the way you sing."

The prospects did not seem brilliant for Strait and his band, despite their popularity in Texas. Several trips to Nashville in pursuit of a recording contract came to nothing, so Strait returned to college and earned a degree in agriculture. He was just on the verge of accepting a job with a firm that manufactured ranch equipment when his wife persuaded him to give Nashville one more try. With the help of a former MCA promotions man, Erv Woolsey, Strait managed to arrange a recording session with the MCA label. One of the songs from that first session, "Unwound," went to number four on the country charts. MCA was quick to sign Strait after that, and Woolsey became his manager.

Hardly a month has passed since 1981 in which a George Strait song has not appeared somewhere on the country top 100. Indeed, Brower suggested that Strait "has ridden the ... country singles chart like a broncobuster with Krazy Glue on his jeans." Strait's albums are almost always guaranteed to be a hit. Though he generally does not write his own material, he is a whiz at choosing which songs to perform off of demo tapes. In April of 1998, One Step at a Time debuted at number one on the country album charts, and in May, Strait got his fifty-fifth top ten single when "I Just Want to Dance With You" moved to number seven. Strait does not describe himself as a talented songwriter, although he has written a few original compositions. Instead he is able to find songs that are right for him and a core of backup musicians who play with him exclusively. In People, Brower described Strait's sound as "hot as a fresh-baked cathead biscuit." His 1995 release Strait Out of the Box is among country's best-selling boxed sets.

In the days when "crossover hit" was on everyone's lips in Nashville, Strait had the courage to resist the glitz. He stuck to his strengths--honky tonk and heartache--and won fans with his impeccable appearance and pine-fresh voice. Some critics scoffed, calling him a "yuppie-billy," but Strait made no apologies for his style. "If you start messing around with changing yourself," he told People, "you'll end up screwing up." By the mid-1980s Strait was playing more than 250 live appearances per year. He told Newsweek: "Everywhere I go, people tell me, 'Keep it country--don't change it.'" An article by Ryan Craig on the University Wire claimed that even into 1998, Strait did not stray from the formula, explaining that his album One Step at a Time contained the usual kind of country song that "reaches in and rips out your heart, kicking it around on the ground. You know, the good stuff." Craig added, "It's like that old joke: what would you get if you play a country song backwards? You'd get your trailer, truck, and wife back and your mamma wouldn't be in prison." Strait is not, however, a scruffy rough-rider: David Gates in Newsweek called the singer "clean-cut, almost preppy" and compared the atmosphere at his concerts--with their legions of swooning women waving undergarments--to those of the late crooner Frank Sinatra.

Strait has also not succumbed to the Nashville tendency to make a star's life an open book. Offstage he is intensely private, living on a secluded ranch in San Marcos, Texas, with his wife, Norma, and son, George, Jr, who is nicknamed "Bubba." (Their daughter, Jennifer, died in a car crash in 1986.) A dedicated husband and father, Strait has been known to fly his family from their home to meet his tour bus at various locations around the country. And in April of 1998, he announced that he would introduce a new approach to touring in order to be able to spend more time at home. Though his 1996 concert attendance broke records set by Hank Williams, Sr., Elvis Presley, and himself, he began a national tour in 1998 that saw him only performing on weekends. He also planned to be done by summer so that he could get back to the ranch full-time. The arrangement increased touring costs and cut down on ticket receipts, but Strait was willing to make the sacrifice. He continued to do well regardless: the first four spring dates sold out, drawing between 44,000 and 63,000 fans. Other dates were near sell-outs, even in cities like Detroit, where promoters were not aware that country was so popular. Though his large stadium shows boasted five video screens, Strait remained true to his style. "You're not going to see George spit fire or blood; you're not going to see him on strings flying across the stage," commented tour promoter Louis Messina in the Los Angeles Times. "It's all about the music and what he represents. If you're a George Strait fan, it's pure country."

In addition to releasing One Step at a Time during the 1990s, Strait also released Lead On, Blue Clear Sky, Carrying Your Love with Me, and Always Never the Same. The early 2000s saw the release of George Strait and The Road Less Traveled. During the late 1990s, Strait founded the George Strait Music Festival, which features a collection of artists on a Lollapalooza-like tour. Strait made his silver screen debut with a starring role in a film called Pure Countryin 1992. The singer's album of the same name had become one of Strait's most successful studio records.

Strait's greatest ambition is to see himself enshrined one day in the Country Music Hall of Fame. The interest in country traditionalism has given him a good chance of achieving that goal. Vaughan wrote that when the history of country music is written, "Strait's albums will rank alongside Haggard, Patsy Cline and George Jones. His voice is pure old-time country, the band, rough and rural but as good as any hand-picked Nashville session band, and Strait himself may just be the finest country music performer since Hank Williams."

Strait's phenomenal record sales suggest he is indeed one of country's all-time finest. As of 2003, Strait had produced 30 gold-certified albums, meaning they had sold at least 500,000 copies each. Of those 30, 26 were platinum-certified, meaning they had sold more than one million copies each. Fans line up not only for his records, but also for his concerts. In 2002, Strait teamed with Jo Dee Messina for 24 shows, grossing more than $19.6 million. In 2003, he played at 19 arena venues, grossing $13.8 million.

In 2003, Strait delivered his 31st album, Honkytonkville. As the name suggests, the album harkened back to his jukebox roots. "It's hard to imagine anyone doing it better," Alanna Nash wrote in Entertainment Weekly in critiquing the album. "Behind the new songs that evoke the neon angst of Twitty and Jones, there's a singer of Sinatra-ish elegance, especially on 'Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa.'" The album included a great mix of traditional country heartbreak, as well as a gospel tune, called "I Found Jesus on the Jailhouse Floor." In addition, "Four Down and Twelve Across" was a little lighter, with Strait singing lyrics lifted from the pages of a newspaper lifestyles section, referring to dishwashing soap and Dear Abby.

Strait has not tired of the music business, though he has been involved in it for more than 30 years. His favorite part is choosing songs for his albums. Strait is not a gifted songwriter; the bulk of his songs are written by others. He does, however, have a knack for noticing a song's potential. Listening to demos for songs is his favorite part of the process. "It's kind of like hunting Easter eggs," he told USA Today's Brian Mansfield. "When you find it, you really feel like you've done something."

In October 2004, Strait treated fans to a compilation titled 50 Number Ones, which contains 51 tracks on two CDs. As the title suggests, 50 of them are Strait's previous Billboard hits, including "The Chair" and "I Can Still Make Cheyenne." By the time 2005 rolled around, the compilation had sold 62 million albums. Interestingly enough, the new track on the CD, "I Hate Everything," also became a chart-topper, giving Strait his 51st number one hit--the most by any artist in any genre in music history. It is a record that may stand the test of time.

by Anne Janette Johnson

George Strait's Career

Country singer, 1973-; joined the U.S. Army, 1971; began singing with an Army band during military service in Hawaii; formed Ace in the Hole Band after discharge, 1975; signed with MCA Records, 1981; had first top-ten country hit, "Unwound," 1981; began George Strait Country Music Festival, late 1990; released retrospective CD, 50 Number Ones, 2004.

George Strait's Awards

Academy of Country Music, Male Vocalist of the Year, 1984-85, 1988, 1997, Album of the Year for Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?, 1985, and for Carrying Your Love with Me, 1997, Entertainer of the Year, 1989, Top Male Country Vocalist of the Year, 1991, Tex Ritter Award for Single of the Year for "Pure Country," 1993, Single of the Year for "Check Yes or No," 1996, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for Blue Clear Sky, 1997; American Music Awards, Top Male Country Vocalist, 1991, Favorite Country Album for Blue Clear Sky, 1996; ASCAP Voice of Music Award, 1995; Billboard magazine, Male Album Artist of the Year, 1981, Male Single Artist of the Year, 1983, Male Vocalist of the Year, 1984, Top Male Artist and Overall Top Artist, 1986, Number One Top Country Artist of the Year, 1987, Hot Country Singles and Tracks Artist, 1995-96, and Top Male Country Artist and Overall Top Artist, 1996; Country Music Association, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?, 1985; Male Vocalist of the Year, 1986, Entertainer of the Year, 1989-90, Album of the Year for Blue Clear Sky, Single of the Year for "Check Yes or No," Male Vocalist of the Year, all 1996, Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, 1997, Vocal Event of the Year (with Alan Jackson), 2000; Country Music Television/The Nashville Network, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Collaborative Event of the Year (with Alan Jackson), for "Murder on Music Row," as well as Impact Award and Entertainer of the Year, all 2001; National Medal of Arts Award (given by President George W. Bush) and Induction into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, 2003.

Recent Updates

November 15, 2005: Strait shared the Country Music Association award for vocal event of the year with Lee Ann Womack, for "Good News, Bad News". Source: CMA Awards, www.cmaawards.com/2005/nomWin/, November 16, 2005.

George Strait is one of if not the only country artist today that has remained true to country music. His music is clean,honest and pure traditional country and every song is a winner.What a talent and what a voice!!

almost 7 years ago

To danielle padilla
omg you are are an idiot!!! George Strait did not release the song "The Thunder Rolls" I am sorry to inform you but that was released by Garth Brooks!

almost 7 years ago

There is some inaccurate information on this page. George has only one sister. He had a brother named Buddy. His main ranch is in south Texas brush country, and the family still owns the Strait ranch in Big Wells. George's Dad is 90, and still active.
There are four members of the Ace in the Hole Band who are still with George. Only one member left before George was signed by MCA. George tends to have the same friends and people around him as he did when he started. That's the kind of person he is. For more information see Straitfever, more then 20 years on line: http://straitfever.homestead.com/straitfever.html
On facebook: George Strait Fever is a great group of Strait loving fans.

about 7 years ago

I'm a little confused about something in your article. I read in another article that George Strait's ranch is in Big Wells, TX. Your article has his ranch in San Marcos. Where, currently (2012) is his ranch?? The other article I saw said he and Norma had a house in San Antonio. Is that accurate?? Thanks in advance for your response

over 7 years ago

Aloha, I was glad to enjoy your country nights in hawaii. I've been enjoying your music ever since. Thanks for continuing to be yourself.
From: Just one of those soldiers you brought a little home to in Hawaii a long time ago.
sincerely,
E york

almost 8 years ago

I like to say that You are the Best one in my life COZ when i fell tension i just go and SING #I still feel 253# and even when i am back to home at night i sing all YOUR SONGS till i reach my home . I SPEAK arabic only am in AFRICA .... BUT when i saw your songs i tried to go to the lyrics to sing with you ,, i can sing 4 songs to YOU ... I BOUGHT A GUITAR AND TRY TO LEARN HOW TO WORK ON IT ,, I HOPE TO CONTACT WITH YOU DIRECTLY AND HEAR YOU FOR 1 MINTS TO SAY Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
wish u all the best Mr. Strait

almost 8 years ago

To george.
im a huge fan of yours.id give anything to meet you some day.i have a wife named jennifer.im so sorry for you loss.i myself have dealt with a loss.i lost my wife 4 years a go from a car accident.i remarried.like i was saying is my new wifes name is jennifer.oddly enough she was born in 1986.she can truely sing like being bleesed from the angels above.we like to think your daughter living through my wife jennifer.to carry on your legacy.please contact me if possible.i drive truck and haul audio and video.various artists.i never was honored enough to meet you or get connected with you.take care and god bless you and your family.we love you.

about 8 years ago

I have been a huge fan since I was about 5 years old!! saw him in san antonio, it was awsome!!

over 8 years ago

Saw George in concert in Mpls 10/21/10. It was a moving experience. Well worth the cost of the tickets. What a great voice!

almost 9 years ago

george is my hero!!!!

over 9 years ago

**** GEORGE IS SOOO AWESOME SINGING THE SONGS IN "TWANG";I WAS TOTALLY IMPRESSED WHEN HE SANG "EL REY"AT THE END OF THE TRACKS***HE IS "THE KING" IN MY BOOKS !!!!!!!!!!!******

almost 10 years ago

ATTENDED YOUR CONCERT IN JUNE 09,HOLMDEL,NJ.WONDERFUL!!I EVEN PURCHASED A SHIRT.WE ATTEND MANY CONCERTS BUT ... BY FAR THIS WAS THE BEST EVER.YOU GO GEORGE!!

over 10 years ago

I cannot imagine country music with George Strait, he is a true icon!

over 10 years ago

You are truly one of the most talented perfomers ever. I had the pleasure of getting a photo holding your guitar 2 days ago in Nashville and it made my trip. What a gift. God bless,amber Hansen

almost 11 years ago

Mr. Strait, as I sit here with my two boys studying for finals, they are doing school projects we are listening to you on XM on Memorial Day while Dad is buliding furniture in the garage we are completely at peace with our surroundings. You are simply the most amazing artist, thank you for your dedicated contribution for all of us to enjoy. We are rockin'abd creating memories we will always remember. BACK TO STUDYING!!

almost 11 years ago

thanks so much for all you do george! i love you!

almost 11 years ago

George Strait is still awesome And I'm still His #1 Fan I love his song Baby Blue except I'm sorry that his daughter died when she was 13 George Strait Was born on the same day I was! (not year)

almost 11 years ago

George Strait Is awesome!!!!! I am HIs # 1 fan!

about 11 years ago

Does anyone out there know if the cassette by George "Let's Get Down To It" has been made on a CD? Also, is there a CD by George call "Ace In The Hole?"
I have 35 albums by George and will soon have 37 so I'd sure like to find these if they are out there.

George recorded 3 singles in the 70's for D Records out of Houston,Texas-Owned by "Pappy" Daily.(D#1310,1313,and 1316).Also had a cassette out by MCA-MCAC-53648 called Let's Get Down To It in 1976!

over 11 years ago

WOW! I personally think George Strait is the world's best country singer. I mean look how many good country singers there are out there, but even though they have some good songs, not all of them are good. But now George Strait on the other hand .... WOOOO he has never came out with a bad or not so good song. They've all been good! But all i have to say is i am one of his biggest fans ever, and i'll never stop loving him.

over 11 years ago

The National Music Association for Young Kids (NMAYK) is an organization dedicated to teaching kids about music. NMAYK helps kids with their music abilities and teaches them how to increase their talents as young musicians. When it comes to music, people need leaders. I believe that the great leader for the National Music Association for Young Kids should be George Strait. George Strait is a simple Texas man that has inspired many music artists. His music is legendary in the eyes of his fans and will stand the test of time as one of the greatest styles of music. George Strait would be a good leader for NMAYK because what he had to overcome and what he has accomplished will be a great a way to show kids how to achieve their goals.
George had to overcome many hardships in his life. George Strait was born on May 18, 1952 in Poteet, Texas. His father was a math teacher at the local high school.
His father also owned the Strait’s family ranch that has been in their family for more than 100 years. His mother, however, left him when he was a small child and took his two sisters with her. George Strait’s inspiration into music was started in his teenage years where he and his friends created a rock and roll band. George Strait played in his rock band till he graduated from high school. He went to college for a short amount of time only to drop out and marry his high school sweet heart, Norma. In 1971, he enrolled in the army and was stationed in Hawaii where he joined a small country band called “Rambling Country.” George Strait was in the army for just four years. After leaving the army he went back to Texas intending to complete his education for a degree in agriculture. During which he started another band called Ace in the Hole. Ace in the Hole was not a very successful band and was soon dismembered in the late 70’s. In 1979, George Strait became friends with a local pub owner, Erv Woolsey, who used to be an executive for MCA records. “When you're a local act, and you're doing Merle Haggard and George Jones songs, people want you to sound like the records. So that's what you do; you sing like Merle or George and pretty soon that's just the way you sing.”( The MCA executives were very impressed with George and signed him to a deal in 1980. This deal put George on the road to success as a Country Music Star.
George Strait has accomplished many things in his life. George Strait’s first and most important accomplishment was getting his first number one hit, “Unwound.” “Unwound” was the kick off single to an amazing career. George began have a huge number of hits But probably his greatest accomplishment would be getting inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

over 11 years ago

omg you are the best of the best of country i love your song the thunder rolls.